Jurgen Klopp ‘excited’ about Cody Gakpo’s Liverpool arrival, defends Darwin Nunez despite misses against Leicester

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp defended Darwin Nunez after his side won 2-1 against Leicester City on Friday night.

The performance was far from Liverpool at their best, and two own goals from Leicester defender Wout Faes were needed for Klopp’s side to secure three points.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had given Leicester, managed by former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, the lead after just four minutes to threaten an upset.

Nunez missed a number of chances, and despite scoring nine goals in 21 appearances he has received criticism for not being clinical enough after arriving from Benfica in the summer.

The Uruguayan will face additional competition when 23-year-old Netherlands international forward Cody Gakpo arrives from PSV Eindhoven when the transfer window opens at the start of January.

Speaking after the game to Viaplay, Klopp made it clear he was looking forward to the Dutchman’s arrival.

He said: “We had a very precise look at him – it wasn’t the right time to do it in the summer as it would have been too expensive, so we thought we’d do it now. He can play plenty of positions. I am really excited about him.”

Nevertheless, the victory is their fourth in a row in the Premier League, and lifts them into sixth place after their final game of 2022.

They are a point behind traditional rivals Manchester United, who sit fifth but with a game in hand. Liverpool are two points off Tottenham, who have played the same amount of games as Liverpool.

Klopp acknowledged that his team had not been as sharp as he had hoped.

“We were a bit lucky in the first half – we were too passive and too deep – it was never helpful,” he said. “It was exactly what they wanted. We played into their hands. We were too open.

“We forced the goals and it was unlucky for the defender. We improved in the second half – it’s not a shiny night but it’s super, super important in this intense period – especially these games. We have to win these games.”

Discussing Nunez, he refused to compare him to his former Borussia Dortmund charge Robert Lewandowski but suggested that in the long run the fact that Nunez is getting on the end of balls will help him come good.

He continued: “It’s not too fair to compare strikers with Lewandowski – but his start was rather rusty – he missed chances like crazy in training – but in these moments, as long as the strikers get chances, that is good.

“I see all the positive signs – I liked the crowd tonight – singing about Darwin. It is easy to enjoy his game. He is a real handful. He is undefendable in moments.”

Liverpool’s next match comes against Brentford on Monday, January 2.